Dribble master apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dribble master apparatus including a training assembly including a belt having a right-hand fixed loop, and a left-hand fixed loop. An optional right-hand tether and left-hand tether may further be included. The right-hand tether and the right-hand fixed loop are configured at opposing ends of the belt to the left-hand tether and the left-hand fixed loop. The belt is configured to be secured around a waist of a user-wearer. The right-hand tether, the left-hand tether, the right-hand fixed loop, and the left-hand fixed loop are configured to be used in a selective combination to restrain a user&#39;s hands for basketball and resistance dribble training.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/637,323 filed Mar. 1, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of training devices and more specifically relates to a basketball training device.

2. Description of Related Art

Children, who typically lack dexterity even in their dominant hand, may struggle to learn how to play basketball—specifically to dribble. A lack of skill may deter some children from playing altogether, while others may struggle, learning to dislike the game. Additionally, more experienced or advanced basketball players are always looking for ways to elevate their game and new skills to develop. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,162,100 to Kyle Patrick Rasnake relates to an athletic training device. The described athletic training device includes an athletic training device capable of providing elastic resistance and associated methods of use for training a user to maintain optimal positioning of the user's hands during certain athletic activities. The device includes a wrist strap, a foot strap, and a thigh strap and an elastic tether of an adjustable length with the thigh strap configured to freely move along and about the elastic tether.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known training device art, the present disclosure provides a novel dribble master apparatus. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a training device which may be used for training a user to correctly position hands while dribbling a ball.

A dribble master apparatus is disclosed herein. The dribble master apparatus includes a training assembly including a belt having a right-hand tether, a left-hand tether, a right-hand fixed loop, and a left-hand fixed loop. The belt includes a length, a first-end and a second-end. The right-hand tether and the right-hand fixed loop are configured at the first-end. The right-hand tether and the left-hand tether each include a wristband configured to be secured around a respective user's wrist. The left-hand tether and the left-hand fixed loop are configured at the second-end. The right-hand fixed loop and the left-hand fixed loop are configured to effectively immobilize a right-hand or a left-hand respectively and selectively. The belt is configured to be secured around a waist of a user-wearer. The right-hand tether, the left-hand tether, the right-hand fixed loop, and the left-hand fixed loop are configured to be used in a selective combination for basketball and resistance dribble training.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a dribble master apparatus, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a training device and more particularly to a dribble master apparatus as used to improve basketball training means.

Generally, the present invention restricts the use of either a left or a right hand to teach children and/or adults how to dribble a basketball. It includes an adjustable belt and adjustable wristband, connected via a bungee-style tether. The device improves dexterity of both hands for greater proficiency on the court. It helps players feel more confident in their game. The present invention accommodates people of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels. The dribble master apparatus helps basketball players learn how to dribble with either hand.

Dribble master apparatus may comprise an adjustable belt, made from nylon, canvas, or other suitable material. The belt can be securable around the waist via hook-and-loop fastening material on the ends. On either side of the belt can be loops. Attached to either loop can be a bungee-style tether, made from elastic or other suitable material. On the end of the tether can be an adjustable wristband. Optionally, a non-tethered adjustable wristband may be attached to either side of the belt, keeping the hand completely immobile for a greater degree of difficulty. In use, basketball players can secure the belt around their waist and the wrist band around the wrist, limiting mobility of that hand and forcing use of the opposite hand.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a dribble master apparatus 100. FIG. 1 shows a dribble master apparatus 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the dribble master apparatus 100 may include a training assembly 110 including a belt 120 having a right-hand fixed loop 132, and a left-hand fixed loop 138. A right-hand tether 124 and a left-hand tether 128 may be optionally included. The belt 120 includes a length, a first-end 142 and a second-end 146. The right-hand tether 124 and the right-hand fixed loop 132 are configured at the first-end 142. The left-hand tether 128 and the left-hand fixed loop 138 are configured at the second-end 146. The belt 120 is configured to be secured around a waist of a user-wearer 10. The right-hand tether 124, the left-hand tether 128, the right-hand fixed loop 132, and the left-hand fixed loop 138 are configured to be used in a selective combination for basketball and resistance dribble training.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the dribble master apparatus 100 may include the training assembly 110 including the belt 120 having the right-hand fixed loop 132, and the left-hand fixed loop 138 used for resistance training and developing dexterity. The belt is adjustable 120 and flexible. The belt 120 includes a fastener 122. The fastener 122 is a hook and loop fastener positioned at the first-end 142 and the second-end 146 and configured to be mated and secure the belt 120 around the waist of the user-wearer 10. The right-hand tether 124 and the left-hand tether 128 are fixed to the belt 120 at a first-tether-end 154.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the dribble master apparatus 100 may include the training assembly 110. The right-hand tether 124 and the left-hand tether 128 each include a wristband 160. Each the wristbands 160 are configured at a second-tether-end 156. Each of the wristbands 160 are configured to be removeably secured around a wrist of the user-wearer 10. The wristbands 160 include adjustable-fasteners 162. The adjustable-fasteners 162 are wristband-hook-and-loop-fasteners.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the dribble master apparatus 100 may include the training assembly 110 including the belt 120 having the right-hand tether 124, the left-hand tether 128, the right-hand fixed loop 132, and the left-hand fixed loop 138. The right-hand fixed loop 132 and the left-hand fixed loop 138 are configured to effectively immobilize a right-hand or a left-hand respectively and selectively. The right-hand fixed loop 132 and the left-hand fixed loop 138 are fixed to the belt 120. The right-hand tether 124 and the left-hand tether 128 are stretchable and configured to expand and retract relative to the belt 120. The right-hand tether 124 and the left-hand tether 128 comprise a semi-elastic material bungee like cord to provide resistance. The semi-elastic material may include woven poly and elastic rubber.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a perspective view of the dribble master apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the dribble master apparatus 100 may include the training assembly 110 including the belt 120 having the right-hand tether 124, the left-hand tether 128, the right-hand fixed loop 132, and the left-hand fixed loop 138 used for resistance training and developing dexterity. The right-hand tether 124 is configured to be used for training when the left-hand is restrained with the left-hand fixed loop 138. The left-hand tether 128 is configured to be used for training when the right-hand is restrained with the right-hand fixed loop 132. The right-hand fixed loop 132 and the left-hand fixed loop 138 may be optionally used.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

1. An apparatus for basketball and resistance dribble training, the apparatus comprising: a belt configured to be secured around a waist of a user-wearer, said belt having a length, a first-side corresponding at least one of a left and a right side of the user-wearer when worn, and a second-side opposite the first side when worn; a first-hand tether configured to independently limit mobility of a first hand of the user-wearer to a correct dribbling position, the first-hand tether including a first wristband and a first cord, the first wristband configured to be removeably secured to a first wrist of the user-wearer, the first cord coupled to the first side of the belt at one end of the first cord and to the first wristband at an opposite end of the first cord, the first cord being stretchable and configured to expand and retract relative to the belt; and a second-hand fixed loop coupled to the second side of the belt, and configured to independently immobilize a second wrist of the user-wearer proximate the waist of the user-wearer on the first side.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second-hand tether configured to independently limit mobility of a second hand of the user-wearer, the second-hand tether including a second wristband and a second cord, the second wristband configured to be removeably secured to a second wrist of the user-wearer, the second cord coupled to the second side of the belt at one end of the second cord and to the first wristband at an opposite end of the second cord, the second cord being stretchable and configured to expand and retract relative to the belt; and a first-hand fixed loop coupled to the first side of the belt, and configured to independently immobilize the first wrist of the user-wearer proximate the waist of the user-wearer on the first side.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the belt has a first-end and a second-end opposite the first-end, and includes a fastener.
 4. The of claim 3, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener positioned at the first-end and the second-end and configured to be mated and secure the belt around the waist of the user-wearer. 5-8. (canceled)
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and the second wristbands each include adjustable-fasteners.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjustable-fasteners are wristband hook-and-loop-fasteners.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first-hand fixed loop and the second-hand fixed loop are affixed directly to the belt.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first cord of the first-hand tether and the second cord of the second-hand tether are made of a semi-elastic material.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the semi-elastic material is selected from a group including woven poly and elastic rubber.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the belt is flexible and adjustable.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first-hand tether is configured to be used with the second-hand fixed loop such that one of a left hand and a right hand is limited in position to a desired dribbling range while dribbling, and the other of the left hand and the right hand is substantially immobilized from dribbling use.
 18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first-hand tether is configured to be used with the second-hand fixed loop, and alternately, the second-hand tether is configured to be used with the first-hand fixed loop, such that one of a left wrist and a right wrist is limited in motion to a desired dribbling range while the other of the left wrist and the right wrist is substantially immobilized from dribbling use. 19-20. (canceled)
 21. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the belt has a first-end and a second-end opposite the first-end, and includes a fastener; wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener positioned at the first-end and the second-end and configured to be mated and secure the belt around the waist of the user-wearer; wherein the first and the second wristbands each include adjustable-fasteners wherein the adjustable-fasteners are wristband hook-and-loop-fasteners; wherein the first cord of the first-hand tether and the second cord of the second-hand tether are made of a semi-elastic material; wherein the semi-elastic material is selected from a group including woven poly and elastic rubber; wherein the belt is flexible and adjustable; and wherein the first-hand tether is configured to be used with the second-hand fixed loop, and alternately, the second-hand tether is configured to be used with the first-hand fixed loop, such that one of a left wrist and a right wrist is limited in motion to a desired dribbling range while the other of the left wrist and the right wrist is substantially immobilized from dribbling use.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second-hand fixed loop is arranged as a second adjustable wristband.
 23. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first-hand fixed loop is arranged as a second adjustable wristband; and wherein the second-hand fixed loop is arranged as a second adjustable wristband. 